The Rainy Day Cardigan is an open front, stranded colorwork cardigan knit from the bottom up, starting as one piece and then dividing for the armholes. The main body is knit flat and the arms are knit separately in the round and then sewn to the body.

It has a modified drop shoulder construction for sizes XS, 2X, 3X, and 4X/5X to maintain a consistent fit for everyone.

The colorwork charts are a simple six stitch repeat and are designed to be easy enough for those new to colorwork.

It is meant to have a good amount (8-16.5”/20-41 cm) of positive ease for a trendy oversized look. Due to the colorwork repeat, sizes vary by +/- 4.5”/11 cm so some sizes are combined to maintain the intended ease. Choose the one that best fits your bust and/or desired ease. Pictured is the size M/L. It fits my 42” bust with approximately 10.5” of positive ease.

Yardage: The pattern calls for approximately (475, 553, 594, 642, 719, 748, 844) yd/(434.5, 506, 543, 587, 657.5, 684, 772) m of main color, (165, 192, 206, 223, 249, 260, 293) yd/(151, 175.5, 188.5, 204, 228, 238, 268) m of CC1, (73, 85, 91, 98, 110, 115, 129) yd/(67, 78, 83.5, 90, 100.5, 105, 118) m of CC2, and (37, 43, 46, 50, 56, 58, 65) yd/(34, 39.5, 42, 45.5, 51, 53, 59.5) m of CC3

Sizes: XS (S, M/L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X/5X)

Finished Cardigan Bust: 43.5 (48, 52.5, 57) (61, 65.5, 70)“/ 109 (120, 131.5, 142.5) (152.5, 164, 175) cm. Choose a size with approximately 8-16.5”/20-41 cm of positive ease.

Materials Required:

• 8.0mm (US 11) 32”/80 cm circular knitting needles (larger sizes may benefit from longer circulars)
• 8.0mm (US 11) 16”/40 cm circular knitting needles (or DPNs if not using magic loop method)
• Tapestry needle
• Measuring tape or ruler
• Scissors
• Removable stitch markers
• Stitch holders (or spare yarn or circulars)

Skills used: Alternating cable (or preferred) cast on for 1x1 and 2x2 rib, 1x1 and 2x2 ribbing, backwards loop cast on (for size XS), cable cast on (for size XS), stockinette stitch (flat and in round), stranded colorwork (flat and in round), magic loop (optional), duplicate stitch (optional),invisible seam for shoulders, basic seam for sleeves, kfb increases, regular bind off, pick up and knit stitches on edges of work.

Links to tutorials for these skills are included.